Cape Town: February is Language Activism Month, and the world celebrated International Mother Language Day on Saturday, February 21, 2026. The City of Cape Town played a crucial role in promoting the use of mother languages and gave residents the opportunity to be served in the language of their choice.
In doing so, they enabled every citizen to engage the City meaningfully and participate in municipal processes. International Mother Language Day is celebrated annually on February 21 and this year, the City of Cape Town is encouraged employees and Capetonians to join the country and showcase the unique diversity of Cape Town, official languages, and cultural heritage by sharing words and phrases that they have learned from daily interactions with their colleagues.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Corporate Services – Alderman Theresa Uys said that there are many sayings that are uniquely Capetonian, and as they interact and get to know one another, they also learn a little about each other’s language and culture.
During this week they are giving participating employees and residents the opportunity to submit the sayings and words that they have learned from their colleagues to the City’s Language Services Unit and also explained what it means. They can also submit videos. The unit will collate the material during the week and post it on a digital wall for all to see. They are hoping for colourful and interactive engagement.
Apart from being fun and inclusive, this activity also intended to remind them of the rich diversity and the beauty of the indigenous languages. Although many of them do not speak more than two languages, they do, over time, get to understand certain words and sayings, and can greet each other in the other person’s Mother Language.
This builds inclusivity and mutual respect and understanding. Uys is very excited to see the words, sayings, and idioms to appear on the virtual wall over the next few days.
The City’s Language Policy was approved by Council on November 18, 2021, and is available on the City’s website in the three official languages i.e. English, Xhosa and Afrikaans, in line with the Provincial Languages Act of 1998. In 2023 the Constitution was amended to include SA Sign Language as one of the country’s national official languages.
Alderman Uys further stated that they have an external panel of interpreters to provide this service on request, and also, Sign Language interpreting happens at every Council meeting from an interpreting booth and is streamed to the public via a link on the City’s website. Interpreters are also available on request to assist at public participation meetings, staff training, City workshops, and any other public engagement where the service may be needed.
She wanted to remind the public that any person may use any of the Western Cape’s three official languages i.e. English, Xhosa, or Afrikaans, when communicating with the City. This is to promote equal access to information and participation, and to promote multilingualism. Any person may request that an engagement happens in their preferred language, and for the content to be translated.
The following information is available in all three official languages:
- All by-laws, including draft versions that are used for public participation
- A notice of motion or a formal motion in the Council or its committees
- The subject headings and recommendations to all reports
- Notices of all meetings and indices to agendas
- All official notices to be published in the Provincial Gazette
- Identification signage of and directions to municipal offices or facilities must be in the three official languages, if they are not in pictorials
The City’s Language Services Unit provides specialised translating, editing and interpreting services to the City; liaises with the Western Cape Language Committee, Pan South African Language Board, the National Language Service, lexicographical units, and so forth.